Karingal Patient Transition Accommodation
Short-term supported housing for remote patients accessing medical care in Townsville.
About This Program
Karingal provides short-term accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people traveling from rural and remote communities to receive medical treatment in Townsville.
The service offers a safe, comfortable space where patients can rest and recover with dignity.
The facility features 24/7 on-site staff, transport to medical appointments, and culturally appropriate support throughout each stay. Karingal helps reduce the pressure on families and health services by offering a culturally safe and supportive transition point during medical care.
Key Features
Want to Refer Someone or Apply?
If you’re supporting someone experiencing homelessness, contact us to learn more about eligibility and availability.
Carl Daylight
Karingal Patient Transition Accommodation Client
Carl Daylight
Karingal Patient Transition Accommodation Client
“Being at Dale Parker helped me get back on my feet after rehab. It gave me the breathing space I needed.”
Clinton Ketchup
Private Resident
Clinton Ketchup
Private Resident
Clinton Ketchup will never forget the day he got out of jail — 1 September 2015. After five years inside, he was determined to change his life.
“When I was young I thought it was fun going in and out of jail but as I got older I started thinking about finding another way,” Mr Ketchup said.
“After I got out of jail I went into a rehabilitation program on Palm Island and found a men’s group (Uncle Alfred’s) where I could talk to other brothers like me.”
On weekends, Clinton would also visit YML’s Dale Parker Place.
“I used to visit the old Dale Parker Place on Bowen Road because I had a couple of brothers in there from Palm,” Mr Ketchup said. “I tried to encourage them to come to Uncle Alfred’s with me (Uncle Alfred did a bus pick-up from Dale Parker every Tuesday night).”
As Clinton’s graduation date from his rehab program drew close, he knew he needed to find a new place to stay. So when he saw Charles, a case manager from Dale Parker Place, at Uncle Alfred’s one night he went up and introduced himself.
“I said ‘Hey brother you, don’t you work at Dale Parker? I want to know if I can get in there because I graduate soon and I’ve got nowhere to stay.’ Charles was happy to try and help so I gave him the number for the rehab,” Mr Ketchup said.
“Two days later. Bang. I got the call for Dale Parker. I had a house!”
Clinton was at Dale Parker Place for 11 months in a one-bedroom, ground floor unit. Charles was his case worker, helping him work towards his goals and taking him to his parole check-ins.
“Being at Dale Parker helped me get back on my feet after rehab. It gave me the breathing space I needed.”
When Clinton was ready for more independence, YML helped him find a new place with its community housing arm.
“Now I have a bike and ride to PCYC and work out on the gym equipment,” Mr Ketchup said.
“I also like going to Joyful Noise at CitiLife Church out at Hervey Range Road past Kalynda Chase. I’ll get on the microphone and have a sing!”
Clinton also enjoys riding around Condon, Wulguru, Kirwan and The Strand and now, when people see him, they remark on how well he looks.
“They see a change in me because when I was in the park I could hardly walk,” Mr Ketchup said. “I just needed someone to give me a bit of help.”
